React Native vs React JS: Exploring The Key Differences

React Native Vs. React JS are the two main innovations for building mobile and web applications. ReactJS was introduced by Jordan Walke, a software engineer at Facebook in 2011. While after the success of ReactJS, the community introduced React Native.

React JS is a Javascript library that artistically crafts enticing user interfaces, which can deliver the best performance and experience to its users. The library is also potential in building mobile applications & single-page applications.

React Native is a JS framework that enables the development of Android & cross-platform apps.

Moreover, the success of the React Native led the community and founders to believe in the framework and customize it to unlock the new possibilities. With the customization, it can now construct Windows and Mac applications.

Both share the same but are differentiated with multiple factors, which are elaborated in this article.

React Native vs React JS: Key Differences To Discuss

1. Feasibility

ReactJS is a compilation of numerous technologies to bring CSS & Javascripts together. The main idea in combining the technologies is to eradicate the possibilities of issues that are ignored by CSS. You can see isolating scope or variable & globally namespace are such issues that are neglected, which should be highlighted.

Here, React Native vs React battle cannot be considered as one-sided because if ReactJS helps in combining technologies, then React Native enables the addition of new components even without modifying or altering codes.

Moreover, if the application is built using Cordova or Ionic, then it will be much easier to reuse the code with a plugin.

2. Setup & Bundling

React Native is a conglomeration of everything that would require to construct the project, i.e., mobile, web, or desktop applications. Whereas ReactJS is a JS library that can be leveraged for building websites.

There are bundler packages like Webpack that will help in allowing you to select the bundling modules. These modules ensure tieing up of modules into a single file serially.

Now, if we talk about setting up the project, it requires only a single command line that can run in the terminal to make things ready. Also, ES6, ES7, and polyfills allow you to code your application. After coding, it is time for running the app either on simulators/emulators or on specific platforms.

Moreover, it requires Android Studio & Xcode for Android and iOS/Mac, respectively. These will execute the project successfully.

3. Styling & DOM

Instead of rendering the applications using HTML, React Native uses components to render. Many components can be transformed into HTML-like, where a view component is a lookalike to the div tag, and a Text component is a lookalike to a p tag.

The restriction on the rendering of codes in HTML pages indicates the restriction on reusing libraries as well. In this case, react.partscan help you with the requirements. From components to boilerplates to generators, everything on the click.

Now, let’s have a glance over the styling of components. This will require the creation of stylesheets in JS. There will be a replica of it, but don’t get confused with it; CSS styles could be similar to Javascripts, mixins could be like SaSS and many more things.

4. Animations

The battle between Reactjs vs React Native is won by the latter in case of animations. The inbuilt animation feature makes the React Native stand apart from others. It has a built-in animated API that, as a developer, you will require to learn to execute the crafting of enticing animations.

React Native also allows you to leverage LayoutAnimation, which means it directly animates the views to the new position when there is about to change in layout. It has one of the only drawbacks, i.e., it can run only on iOS and not Android. The reason being, the operating system doesn’t support it.

On the contrary, ReactJS only relies on CSS and JS libraries for animations. It doesn’t have any other external or in-built support, which means you would be gaining only limited access to the animation feature.

5. Navigation

Apart from Animation, there is another tight battle between React Native vs React, i.e., Navigation. Both have their perspective of delivering smooth Navigation to the user but opt-for different approaches. Now, let’s see how the specific approach delivers the results.

React JS uses react-router for navigating between the screens of the applications while React Native leverages libraries, i.e., Navigator or the purpose.

Navigator, by far, has been the perfect solution for implementing Navigation in the applications. The Navigator might not be the potential in delivering the desired results in the big apps that have numerous screens to navigate.

6. Overheads

Reactjs vs. React Native are the most debatable topics as both contribute to building software projects. Coding is a crucial element in constructing applications. One cannot imagine an app without coding. Now comes the question, which is the best suitable technology for developing an application: ReactJS or React Native?

Well, the answer to the question is simple. React JS requires single-time coding that can run everywhere. On the other hand, React Native is expected to build platform-specific codes, which may take more than ReactJS.

Apart from the key difference of React JS vs React Native, let’s dive deep into some benefits and pitfalls of both the technologies.

Benefits of React JS

Easy To Learn: ReactJS is a Javascript language that is easy to learn and simple to understand. Any novice with a basic knowledge of Javascript can start building projects within no time.

Builds Dynamic Web-apps: Developing web apps using HTML was an arduous task, but with the introduction of ReactJS, the task of crafting highly-intuitive web-apps has become much easier with a faster pace.

Reusable Components: Applications built using ReactJS are a combination of numerous components, and these vital components contain logic and controls. Also, the components are reusable, which results in quick building and maintaining the projects.

Performance: The VDOM plays an important role in boosting the React JS apps performance. It allows developers to write the components not directly in DOM but in VDOM. It will enhance performance

Pitfalls of React JS

New Updates: There are always new updates or upgrades in the app development field. And to cope up with new changes or upgrades, the developers have to stay intact to learn and adapt to new changes. This becomes a tiresome and time-consuming task that is difficult in day-to-day life.

Documentation: As you know, regular changes or updates are coming in, now and then, which requires proper documentation. Now, it becomes difficult to maintain the documentation. So, the developers manage it by themselves.

Benefits of React Native

Single-time Coding: The “write once, use everywhere” concept is what React Native follows, and this concept makes it win the highly debatable battle of React JS Vs. React Native. It works on both the platforms, i.e., Android & iOS.

Community: There is a huge community base that offers a wide knowledge and support as and when required.

Hot Reloading: This feature makes React Native stand apart in the race of React Native Vs. React. Any modification in the code will have an impact on the development. Also, the alteration in logic would be presented live on the screen.

Pitfalls of React Native

Immature: As the framework is new in the app development industry, it can negatively impact on the apps.

Learning is difficult: It would create a problem for the beginners as they would find it difficult to learn it.

Security issues: Experts advise not to use React Native for building financial or banking apps as it has security concurrency, which may lead to leak or theft of vital data.

Applications Built Using React Native & React JS

Airbnb: It is one of the biggest accommodation rental platforms that includes storing vital information and payment gateway. And for this, the biggest platform chose ReactJS for its mobile app and web page. Here, React Native loses the battle of Reactjs vs React Native.

Bloomberg: React Native impressed Bloomberg with its simple cross-platform functionality and delivery of what is promised by the framework.

Instagram: React JS has won the hearts of social media platform, Instagram. When the team was planning to build the web and mobile app, Javascript convinced them with its high-performance.

Netflix: Another battle of React Native vs React JS has won by the latter. Yes, you read it, right! The video streaming application adopted the JS library for constructing its application. The declarative approach and single-flow model has impressed the team to opt for React JS.

Epilogue

React Native is a web framework that allows app professionals to construct mobile and web applications whereas, React JS is a Javascript library that can craft a high-performing UI layer. The easy learning curve of React JS makes it preferable in the app development market.

If you are convinced with the differences mentioned above and want to connect with React JS Development Company, then click on the above link and get in touch with us. The company has years of experience in delivering quality projects at affordable rates.

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